Next, think about how you’d like to equip your rooms. Ideally, huddle rooms should have at least a small table, a few chairs (or beanbags, up to you!), a whiteboard, a conference phone or other device to communicate, and a monitor to interact with remote workers. While these spaces are small, video conferencing technology is a non-negotiable element. There are essentially two ways to enable simple video conferencing: either implement a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy or provide all necessary equipment.
With a BYOD rule, IT would only need to set up a monitor, camera, and speaker for users to plug their devices into. This makes setting up a huddle room exceptionally simple and easy to move around. However, keep in mind that there are security concerns with BYOD that should be considered before you adopt the policy.
The other option is to fully outfit your huddle rooms with smart devices. Some organizations like to take their rooms to the next level by installing more advanced interactive whiteboards and other touchscreen displays. Currently, Microsoft, and Samsung have devices such as these on the market, all designed to heighten interactions and bring flexibility to video conferencing. These devices simplify teamwork and can even allow you to write on the same whiteboard as a colleague that is halfway around the world. You can also mix and match devices in order to create a hub that works best for you and your team.
A collaboration bar could also be a sound investment, such as the ones that are specifically designed for the use of Microsoft Teams. Collaboration bars are an easy, user-friendly way to interact with colleagues. They combine microphones, speakers, cameras, and Teams capabilities all in one so you can deploy and manage your experience with ease. Remember: how advanced you’d like to make the room is up to you, so think about what your employees would use the most.